Vexilar FL-12 vs. MarCum LX-3TC

[midwesthunter]

I know this topic is covered a lot but I am having the hardest time deciding between these two flashers. Each has its pros and cons, but I am leaning towards the MarCum. Has anyone owned both of these units? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Reynolds]

What's more important to you, zoom or flat screen?

[midwesthunter]

The zoom feature. I compared the two screens at the store today and even though the Vexilar has a bigger screen, the MarCum's is crisper

[Reynolds]

I would go with the LX3 then if you want zoom. I can't comment on the FL12, as I have not had the chance to use one, but I have owned an LX3 and loved it. I would look around on the net as I have seen some very good deals on used LX3s as of late if you are considering a used unit.

[FrontenacPike]

The LX-3 (TC) and LX-5 have true color which Vexilar does not. This separation of signal strength that MarCum came out with defines targets spectrum's crisply and cleanly better than the FL-18, and I know first hand I owned an FL-18. Blended displays with the Vexilar and the older MarCum units are history.

Target Separation : 2.65" Vexilar to 2.15" non-zoom, advantage MarCum

Target Identification: 1" Vexilar to 1" zoom, draw

Power: 400 watts Vexilar to 1500 watts MarCum, advantage MarCum., managed power is critical in defining targets and increases the effectiveness of interference rejection. MarCum's receiver is the most expensive part of the unit and because of it's ability to harness all that power and display crisply and cleanly with less distortion that is why MarCum's give you the detail that FL-18 can't match.

MarCum's Battery Charger the DCS 100 is an excellent charger and recovers batteries very quickly, no more clips and lead, plug in and walk away fully automatic...

Padded soft pack: standard with the the LX-3, Vexilar you have to purchase it for added coin and is of less quality than MarCum's.

Zoom performance - The LX-3 provides a 5' or 10' window in the 20' to 40' setting, a 10' or 20' window in the 80' setting and a whopping 20' or 40' zoom window setting in the 160' setting that's fully adjustable and stay's locked in when hole hopping. Vexilar has an inadequate 6' bottom only setting that has to be reset each time you hole hop to stay in zoom. It's the most frustrating feature with the FL-18 the zoom window is too small. Suspended fish as well as bottom fish can be seen better with MarCum. I don't know how many times while trying to fish my Fl-18 in zoom and constantly watching fish come over the 6' window to strike that it just flat out frustrated me and would have to switch the zoom off entirely and fish it like a non zoom FL-8. Where was the extra $100 I spent on the FL-18 it certainly wasn't in the zoom I can assure you that.

User friendliness with the MarCum you can have the unit on the ice and learn it's full function's in about 10 min. Vexilar provides a DVD with there units and still people have returned them because they can't figure them out.

Shallow water performance no "S" cable needed with the MarCum because of the technilogical advancements that MarCum has made in design it is the best shallow water performance unit I have used and it is even more incredible with my LX-5. Most transducers can handle up to 3000 watts of power, MarCum engineers utilized the full potential and designed there receiver to clearly capture what is happening down there. The problem with the FL-18 even with Low Power is a bandaid for a bigger problem that they have and that's in shallow water. Targets blob and blend together while in the LX-3 and LX-5 they are captured, crisply and separately. MarCum excells when tryin to isolate larger fish from smaller fish especially when targets are stacked.

American engineered and American made are another plus for MarCum you can actually call and talk to one of there engineers.. Good luck in trying to talk to one of there's.

The FL-18 is not worth the money compared to the FL-8 in my personal experience and the LX-3 and LX-5 are the cream of the crop and there base Ice systems give you more bang for the buck. MarCum has been around a few years now and influx of FL-18 users switching to the LX-5 is at an all time high. MarCum is in it for the long haul and if Vexilar doesn't do something fast to compete with the MarCum units the avalanche of prior Vexilar owners switching to MarCum will continue.

What happens is alot of folks just by what ever unit and fish with it and talk about it. Few take the time to compare the FL-18 and the LX-3 for a season and those that did wen't MarCum. The simple fact is you get more bang for your buck with MarCum...

When you run both side by side that's where differences are explained to you in bold and right in front of your eyes, the zoom on the Fl-18 is not worth the extra $100 to me, but if you want the best in display, zoom, clarity, separation, identification, technology and performance in a high end unit the clear choice is MarCum. Not one Vexilar user that I can recall ever went back to them after using a MarCum there that good.

(This post was written by CNY Tim)

[aquafang]

Quote:

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The LX-3 (TC) and LX-5 have true color which Vexilar does not. This separation of signal strength that MarCum came out with defines targets spectrum's crisply and cleanly better than the FL-18, and I know first hand I owned an FL-18. Blended displays with the Vexilar and the older MarCum units are history.

Target Separation : 2.65" Vexilar to 2.15" non-zoom, advantage MarCum

Target Identification: 1" Vexilar to 1" zoom, draw

Power: 400 watts Vexilar to 1500 watts MarCum, advantage MarCum., managed power is critical in defining targets and increases the effectiveness of interference rejection. MarCum's receiver is the most expensive part of the unit and because of it's ability to harness all that power and display crisply and cleanly with less distortion that is why MarCum's give you the detail that FL-18 can't match.

MarCum's Battery Charger the DCS 100 is an excellent charger and recovers batteries very quickly, no more clips and lead, plug in and walk away fully automatic...

Padded soft pack: standard with the the LX-3, Vexilar you have to purchase it for added coin and is of less quality than MarCum's.

Zoom performance - The LX-3 provides a 5' or 10' window in the 20' to 40' setting, a 10' or 20' window in the 80' setting and a whopping 20' or 40' zoom window setting in the 160' setting that's fully adjustable and stay's locked in when hole hopping. Vexilar has an inadequate 6' bottom only setting that has to be reset each time you hole hop to stay in zoom. It's the most frustrating feature with the FL-18 the zoom window is too small. Suspended fish as well as bottom fish can be seen better with MarCum. I don't know how many times while trying to fish my Fl-18 in zoom and constantly watching fish come over the 6' window to strike that it just flat out frustrated me and would have to switch the zoom off entirely and fish it like a non zoom FL-8. Where was the extra $100 I spent on the FL-18 it certainly wasn't in the zoom I can assure you that.

User friendliness with the MarCum you can have the unit on the ice and learn it's full function's in about 10 min. Vexilar provides a DVD with there units and still people have returned them because they can't figure them out.

Shallow water performance no "S" cable needed with the MarCum because of the technilogical advancements that MarCum has made in design it is the best shallow water performance unit I have used and it is even more incredible with my LX-5. Most transducers can handle up to 3000 watts of power, MarCum engineers utilized the full potential and designed there receiver to clearly capture what is happening down there. The problem with the FL-18 even with Low Power is a bandaid for a bigger problem that they have and that's in shallow water. Targets blob and blend together while in the LX-3 and LX-5 they are captured, crisply and separately. MarCum excells when tryin to isolate larger fish from smaller fish especially when targets are stacked.

American engineered and American made are another plus for MarCum you can actually call and talk to one of there engineers.. Good luck in trying to talk to one of there's.

The FL-18 is not worth the money compared to the FL-8 in my personal experience and the LX-3 and LX-5 are the cream of the crop and there base Ice systems give you more bang for the buck. MarCum has been around a few years now and influx of FL-18 users switching to the LX-5 is at an all time high. MarCum is in it for the long haul and if Vexilar doesn't do something fast to compete with the MarCum units the avalanche of prior Vexilar owners switching to MarCum will continue.

What happens is alot of folks just by what ever unit and fish with it and talk about it. Few take the time to compare the FL-18 and the LX-3 for a season and those that did wen't MarCum. The simple fact is you get more bang for your buck with MarCum...

When you run both side by side that's where differences are explained to you in bold and right in front of your eyes, the zoom on the Fl-18 is not worth the extra $100 to me, but if you want the best in display, zoom, clarity, separation, identification, technology and performance in a high end unit the clear choice is MarCum. Not one Vexilar user that I can recall ever went back to them after using a MarCum there that good.

(This post was written by CNY Tim)

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Well put!!! I am a Marcum and vex owner and the marcum sees the ice the vex is a back up or for a second hole.

[Bob Horn]

I went through this situation about 4-5 years ago. I had a FL-8 dual beam and was use to the dual beam and was ready to upgrade the the Fl-18 dual beam. Well after reading the posts and asking this same question I bought a LX-3. The best decision I could have made. Awesome target separation, adjustable zoom, and many more awesome features.

[foulpole18]

I have a fl-8, fl-18 and a lx-5 and I can say all the vexilars do is collect dust. They only get used by my buddies who dont have anything. You would have to kill me to use my lx-5.